Virtual Programming
NBAF is now offering weekly programs hosted by talented artists in our community. As part of the NBAForward campaign, these virtual programs highlight our commitment to provide a platform for artists to do what they do best. Featuring virtual classes by art professionals, live entertainment jam sessions, and timely forums dedicated to helping artists save, rethink and innovate, these virtual programs are geared toward black artists and all that they do behind the scenes to bring art to life. See below for the calendar of events.
“Mindful Flow”
Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Time: 4 pm to 5 pm
This 30 minute workshop with Jessica Bertram, Assistant Director of Youth Programs for NBAF, was made with the art community in mind to ground the body and mind with a check-in, easy body movement for all ages and affirmations. Mindfulness meditation increases your ability to direct awareness to the present moment. Unobstructed, your focus on the here and now will enable you to find your flow and increase your productivity.
Jessica Bertram is a movement artist driven by storytelling, research, and ultimately, play. A native of Huntsville, Alabama, she began dancing at the age of 3 at the North Alabama Dance Center. She continued her training at Emory University and graduated in 2017 with a BA in dance & movement studies and a BS in anthropology & human biology. Her choreographic and solo work has been performed and awarded at the American College Dance Association, Emory University, Inman Park Festival, 7Stages Theatre, Dance Canvas Choreographers Initiative and more. Dedicated to her passion for the arts, Jessica is a Teaching Artist with Moving In The Spirit, a 2020 grant panelist for the Georgia Council of the Arts, and currently serves as the Assistant Director of Youth Programming for the National Black Arts Festival.
Visit NBAF’s Virtual Programs YouTube channel for the replay!
“Monetize Your Passion With Ease”
Date: Thursday, April 30, 2020
Time: 4 pm to 5 pm
Learning to manage your finances correctly is a skill that we all can benefit from, especially with everything going on in the world today. For helpful tips on securing financial prosperity for you and your family, don’t miss our #MoneyTalkThursday with Darrell Green of Wells Fargo.
Darrell Green is a Senior Vice President and Small Business Acquisition Manager at Wells Fargo with more than 25 years of experience in Commercial and Business Banking Management, Sales Administration , Strategy and Consulting. Based in Atlanta, GA, he is responsible for new business development, implementing small business acquisition strategy and leading the small business development team in the Southeast US.
Visit NBAF’s Virtual Programs YouTube channel for the replay!
“Our Lives, Your Entertainment: Storytelling in Hip Hop”
Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Time: 6:00 pm
In addition to being entertainers, Hip Hop artists are the documentarians and journalists of their communities. This “Talented Tuesday” course by Artemus Jenkins, analyzes and highlights how artists of color have used hip hop culture and the medium of film to document their history and lives authentically.
Artemus Jenkins was born in West Baltimore to parents who met in South Carolina during the 80s. He uses the documentary format to capture the raw and beautiful aspects of lives that know no struggle too difficult to overcome.
Artemus Jenkins has lived in Atlanta for over 13 years as a participant observer, documenting how artists from marginalized communities use creativity to craft a better reality for everyone. Artemus believes that “because our pain and despair is so well documented, we must also tell our own stories of triumph and joy. We are all connected in ways that have been hidden from us. Every image’s intent is to unify the thoughts, feelings and actions of our communities one story at a time.” Artemus also thinks children are the future and we need more Wu-Tang albums.
Wine Down Wednesday with Somalia R&B/ Soul Singer
Date: Wednesday, May 13th, 2020
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: Facebook Live/ IG Live
Somalia is a R&B singer and songwriter based in Atlanta, Georgia. Originally from Jersey City, New Jersey but raised in Lithonia, Georgia, she grew up listening to a wide range of artists. Her music blends R&B, Neosoul, Jazz, and Hip-hop. Inspired by artists like Brandy, Tweet, Missy Elliott, and Jill Scott, Somalia makes music to show that R&B isn’t dead. Her most recently released project “Journey” (2018) is available to stream everywhere and she just released her new music video for her single “Mimosa”. With true respect and love for live music, Somalia uses her melodic vocal range and inspiring lyrics to captivate audiences of all ages.
“Cooperative Economics: We Got Us”
Date: Thursday, May 28th, 2020
Time: 1:30 pm
Alanah Davis will host May’s “Money Talk Thursday” Zoom session focused on providing artists with tools geared toward empowering black artists and their financial futures, while giving them the skills to launch their own crowd funding campaign and sharing tips to save and pair down personal expenses during COVID-19.
Alanah is Bronx NY born & Baltimore Based Performance Artist, Non-Profit + Small Business Consultant, Organizer & Mother of two to Blair (7) & Harper (5). In the past two years alone Alanah has marketed & produced a countless number of events, projects & campaigns for nonprofits & small businesses that are arts, education+youth focused. She can be heard on WYPR’s “Spotlight on Station North” monthly promoting what’s happening on North Avenue in Baltimore or on her instagram where her wit & sharp anecdotal one liners geared toward helping & healing Black Women are posted, shared & commented on daily.
Artist Project Fund
With the uneasiness we all feel surrounding COVID19, it is NBAF’s priority to ensure that our community doesn’t go without resources during times of a national crisis. As a result, NBAF (National Black Arts) launched an Artist Project Fund starting at $5,000 to support Black Artists in getting back to work and thus provide for their households. It is our hope to sustain this fund month over month through your support by adding new donors, corporate sponsors and community partners so that we can support black artists in Atlanta and eventually nationwide. We will award small stipends to artists to navigate through these difficult times and continue to support our artist community in creating the work that makes our world so vibrant!
With the support of this community, NBAF was able to provide 15 artists, like Jessica Udeh (featured above), with small stipends in April to help them continue their work.
Jessica Udeh is an Igbo-American self-taught visual + sound artist and creative director. She is also the founder of CHIAMAKA.STUDIO, a virtual art archive and conceptual design studio. Jessica’s practice is mixed/multimedia with a focus on collaging and soundscaping.
Click here to see more of Jessica’s artwork
Please consider supporting us in this effort at the link below.
We are especially grateful to our premiere sponsor, Warner Media & AT&T for their generous $25,000 donation to The Artist Project Fund.
Additional donors that have helped us in this effort are: Paula Brathwaite, Suzanne Burks, Audrey Gomez, Cozell Harris, Patricia Harris, Joyce Jelks, Adrienne Mims, Stephanie Owens, Darrick Weaver, and Rhonda Wilkins.
If you are an artist who needs assistance on a project that’s been impacted by COVID-19, please apply below: